"No Such Thing as a 'Study Drug'..." MFDS Steps Up ADHD Drug Inspections Ahead of CSAT

Intensive inspections of medical institutions handling ADHD medication through November 18

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) will step up inspections to prevent the misuse and abuse of medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which are mistakenly promoted as “study drugs,” ahead of the College Scholastic Ability Test. It will check medical institutions with high prescription volumes and strengthen monitoring of illegal online sales and brokering posts.

A 2026 College Scholastic Ability Test venue. The Asia Business Daily DB.

On October 16, the MFDS said it would conduct intensive inspections of medical institutions that handle methylphenidate, an ADHD medication, in cooperation with local governments from October 19 to November 18. It will analyze big data from the Narcotics Information Management System and select for inspection medical institutions visited by adolescents and others with high prescription volumes.

Methylphenidate is a psychotropic drug used to treat ADHD. Use outside its approved indications may cause side effects such as insomnia, loss of appetite, headaches, and an increased heart rate.

Key inspection items include whether the drug is being misused or abused, including through excessive prescriptions; compliance with reporting requirements for handling narcotics; and whether reported records match actual inventory levels. Cases suspected of involving handling for purposes other than legitimate professional use will undergo a medical validity review by external experts. If the practice is not deemed valid, the case will be referred for investigation. Violations of reporting requirements, such as failure to report or late reporting, will be referred to the relevant local government for administrative action.

The MFDS will also intensively monitor social networking services (SNS) and online communities for posts that lure test-takers and their parents with illegal sales or brokering offers for drugs described as “study drugs” or “medications for concentration.” It plans to request the removal of posts it identifies and refer those involved in sales or brokering for investigation. Through intensive and ongoing monitoring, the MFDS identified 1,882 related illegal posts through September this year.

An MFDS official said, “Purchasing ADHD medication online or elsewhere without a doctor's prescription, or taking medication prescribed or purchased by a family member or acquaintance, both violate the Narcotics Control Act.” The official urged test-takers and their parents to exercise particular caution.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.